South African new vehicle sales boom continues - these were the top manufacturers in November 2025
Toyota topped the charts with over 13,000 sales in November.
Image: Supplied
South Africa’s new vehicle sales boom continued unabated in November, with year-on-year sales increasing by 12.5%.
New vehicle sales totalled 54,896 units last month, according to Naamsa, up from the 48,783 units recorded in November 2024, albeit marginally down on the decade high of 55,956 units registered in October.
The aggressive marketing of a wide range of affordable vehicles from China and India is playing a major role in boosting sales, said Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Rental vehicle sales are also making a significant contribution, he added.
“As we approach the end of 2025, the motor industry has once again shown that making sales forecasts is becoming more of an art than science. There are very few industry commentators who could have predicted the vehicle sales boom that we’ve seen in the second half of the year,” Cohen said.
Passenger car sales totalled 39,158 units in November, representing an 11.0% increase over the same month last year. Meanwhile, light commercial vehicles and bakkies grew at an even faster rate of 20.5%, totalling 10,827 units. The larger commercials were a mixed bag, however, with medium commercial vehicles recording a 0.6% loss and the heavies gaining 1.3%.
“South Africa’s macroeconomic landscape in November presented a rare alignment of positive shifts in inflation, fuel pricing, fiscal credibility, and monetary policy - each contributing to improved affordability and confidence across households and firms,” Naamsa said in a statement.
November’s sales performance reflects a market responding to a more supportive economic environment, Wesbank marketing head Lebo Gaoaketse added.
“Lower inflation, relief at the fuel pump and the first interest rate cut under the revised 3% target have helped restore a sense of predictability in household budgets. This stability is starting to show in mobility decisions," Gaoaketse said.
On the sales charts, Toyota enjoyed another buoyant month with sales totalling 13,215 units. It was followed by Suzuki Auto (6,385), Volkswagen Group (6,002), Ford (3,078) and Hyundai (3,048).
South Africa’s two largest Chinese importers fell just outside the top five, while Jetour entered the top 15 following the successful launch of its T1 and T2 products.
Top 20 Manufacturers: November 2025
- Toyota - 13,215
- Suzuki Auto - 6,385
- Volkswagen - 6,002
- Ford - 3,078
- Hyundai - 3,048
- GWM SA - 2,534
- Chery Auto - 2,506
- Isuzu Motors - 1,765
- Kia SA - 1,828
- Renault - 1,415
- Omoda & Jaecoo - 1,408
- Mahindra - 1,403
- Nissan - 1,330
- BMW - 1,251
- Jetour - 1,235
- Stellantis - 936
- MG - 618
- Mercedes-Benz - 430
- Foton SA - 407
- Honda - 275
IOL Motoring